PBS approves new hepatitis C medicines

MORE than 130,000 people will benefit from new and extended medicine subsidies through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Among the listings announced on Tuesday by Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek are groundbreaking treatments for chronic hepatitis C.

The government will provide more than $220 million over five years to subsidise the drugs boceprevir (Victrelis) and telaprevir (Incivo), which could double the cure rate and shorten the treatment by six months, Ms Plibersek said in Sydney.

As one of the most commonly reported notifiable diseases in Australia, hepatitis C represents a significant public health problem.

In many cases, the virus can progress into life-threatening conditions such as liver failure and liver cancer.

It was estimated in 2011 that at least 220,000 Australians were living with chronic hepatitis C.

Unlike other types of hepatitis, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.

Patients would have to pay up to $78,000 a year for these medicines without subsidised access through the PBS.

In addition to the new treatments for hepatitis C, the government has also agreed to list an oral contraceptive, as well as treatments for Parkinson's disease, for type 2 diabetes and for high cholesterol.

The government has also agreed to extend the PBS listing for an osteoporosis treatment and to increase the price of nine other medicines for conditions including high blood pressure and inflammatory bowel disease.

All PBS listings and price changes are subject to final arrangements being met by the suppliers of the medicines.

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